A computer implemented method analyzes packets of data in frames on a process control bus. A frame is first selected, and a text file representative of specifications for the process control bus communication protocol is used to identify function code formats and calculate values and descriptions for the fields. A display of the values and fields is provided to the user. The display comprises a multi-pane screen of information that facilitates a user selecting a packet on the bus and view an interpretation of the data in the packet including values and descriptions for function codes as well as identifying the origination of the packet.